Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
Any parent knows that raising kids is full of surprises. If your toddler is getting close to the 18-month mark, here are some things to look for in their language development, sleeping and eating patterns, and overall behavior. It’s not a crystal ball, but every little bit of knowledge helps!
Key takeaways
18-month-olds typically try to say at least three words besides “Mama” or “Dada.”
They are better able to understand language, such as simple directions.
While your 18-month-old probably isn’t yet playing with other toddlers, it’s important for them to play with caregivers to promote language and social skills.
Your toddler is becoming more independent and wants to do more by themselves, which can lead to frustration or other “big feelings.”
Toddlers this age may experience normal sleep changes known as “18-month sleep regression.”
Some degree of picky eating is typical in toddlers, but watch for signs of feeding disorders.
Curious or concerned?
Our free screener is tailored by age and covers all areas of speech, language, and feeding. Find out if your child might need speech therapy.
Screener for children1. 18-month-olds begin using more words
You may be curious about when babies start talking. Children typically say their first word somewhere around 12 months old, but it could be a little earlier or later. Developmental milestones from the CDC state that by 18 months old, toddlers are typically trying to say at least three other words besides “Mama” or “Dada.”
Keep in mind that by age 24 to 30 months, we want toddlers to have at least 50 words in their expressive vocabularies. So as they grow, they should be steadily increasing the number of words they can say. That means you’ll be hearing a lot more words between 18 and 24 months! You can keep track in a notebook or an open note on your phone. It’s exciting to see which words your child says first—and to watch the list get longer and longer!
Something to look for: Many of a toddler’s first words are usually labels, or saying the names of people and items: “Mama,” “milk,” “dog.” But as they start using more words more often, you’ll see your 18-month-old begin using those words in different ways, such as to make a comment or ask for something. So they may ask “Milk?” in order to request their drink.
You’ll also hear your child start saying words on their own, instead of simply imitating you. Again, try to keep track of everything you hear them say!
2. 18-month-olds understand more words
Not only are 18-month-olds typically able to say more words, they can usually understand more language, as well. This might be simple directions, like "Give me the ball" or “Go get your teddy bear.”
Alexis Irazoque, M.S., L/SLP, is a speech therapist at Expressable and a toddler mom. She recommends, “You can begin giving your child directions during clean-up time, play time, or any daily routine you do together. Your child can learn to help out and practice their language skills at the same time! Plus, it's a great opportunity for you to model even more language and words for them.”
For example, as you clean up, you can say, “The big car goes in the big bin" or “Let’s put away the puzzle pieces. They need to go in the puzzle. They fit inside.”
3. Playing with your 18-month-old
Toddlers at this age usually play alone, rather than with other children. So if you take your 18-month-old to the playground, they probably focus more on what they’re doing, without engaging with other kids.
However, your child probably loves to play with you. And you should play with them daily! Did you know that play supports communication skills? The more you play together, the more chances your child has to hear language and communicate with you about what’s happening, what they see, or what they’re enjoying.
Play may not feel important to us adults, but it’s how little ones learn and grow. So make some time to get down on your child’s level and interact with them. Whether it’s pretend play with dolls or farm animals, or putting together simple puzzles, you’ll be growing their language skills and having a blast together!
What are the best toys for toddlers? Find out how to keep your 18-month-old entertained with these fun toys and activities.
4. Your 18-month-old’s behavior
Every child is unique, but there are some typical behavior issues you might see in your 18-month-old. Around this age, your child is gaining new skills and wanting to do more and more by themselves. And with some of that comes the potential for tantrums, or even just “big feelings.”
Maybe your child gets frustrated when trying to open a box, simply because they want to do it themselves. They know they can, but it’s still hard, and they’re feeling that struggle.
Or, this independence might come out when your toddler wants something in another room, but they’re blocked by the child safety gate. They’ve got ideas and thoughts, and they want to be able to follow through with them!
These big emotions might seem to show up overnight. Maybe just the week before, your child didn’t care so much about having the safety gate there, or they were fine letting you open boxes for them. But now that they’ve tasted some independence, they want more—and they may get a little emotional about it.
If you start to see these behaviors in your toddler, don’t worry. It’s normal! Give them some time to calm down when they get upset. “And it helps to try to keep calm yourself,” Irazoque says. “Giving your child a cool and collected example helps them learn to self-regulate. This will lead to a better outcome for both of you!”
A look at 3 scenarios that can lead to toddler meltdowns and tips for dealing with tough toddler behavior.
5. Sleep changes at 18 months
You might see some changes in your child’s sleep at this age. Your 18-month-old is going through so much physical and mental growth that it may affect their sleep. Some refer to this as “18-month sleep regression.” At this age, kiddos are extremely mobile, and they’re engaging more with other people. That means they’re less likely to want to be lying still in bed all alone!
Separation anxiety can also hit a peak at this age. This is another component that can contribute to sleep regression.
While sleep problems can be a challenge, usually this is just a phase. Continue with good sleep habits and keep your child’s bedtime routine consistent. Your little one will likely be back to their normal sleep patterns soon!
6. 18-month-olds and picky eating
As babies turn into toddlers, their eating preferences can change. Maybe they used to gobble up all kinds of fruits and veggies, but now they’re refusing their old favorites. Some degree of picky eating is expected at this age.
Your child’s diet should be expanding at this age. They’re moving beyond pureed baby food and trying more of the same foods you eat. And even though they may have liked green beans in puree form, they may be less likely to accept them as a steamed, soft veggie. It takes a lot of repetition with new foods for kids to decide if they like them. Keep trying, offer a variety of healthy foods, and give your child choices.
For some kids, what we think of as picky eating may be related to a sensory feeding disorder, or even an oral-motor disorder that causes problems with chewing and swallowing food. “Both of these diagnoses are referred to as dysphagia, and they can be treated by a speech-language pathologist with training in feeding therapy,” Irazoque says.
It’s a good idea to talk with your doctor and consider a feeding evaluation if your child:
Eats only 20 foods or less
Has negative reactions or behaviors around food or mealtimes
Consistently coughs or chokes when eating
If you have a picky eater or a child with sensory food aversion, here are expert tips for making mealtimes less stressful.
Is your 18-month-old meeting their milestones?
Your toddler is growing and changing by the day, and there’s a lot to look for! We’re here to help. Here’s more about what to expect at 18 months old:
Not sure if your child is on track? Take our free speech and language screener. It only takes a few minutes, and questions are tailored to your child’s age. You’ll learn if they're meeting milestones and whether a speech therapy evaluation might be recommended.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
By 18 months, children have typically said their first word.They should be trying to say at least three other words besides “Mama” or “Dada.” Keep in mind that by age 24-30 months, we want toddlers to be saying at least 50 words. So as they grow, they should be steadily increasing the number of words they can say.
A simple technique to teach your toddler to talk is to give them choices. Show them two snacks or toys, and prompt them to communicate which they want. You should also model, or use, language with them often to help them learn words. You can do this while playing together, reading books, or just during your everyday routines, like bathtime or eating dinner.
There are many developmental milestones that a typical 18-month-old reaches. Toddlers at this age are usually stacking blocks, turning pages in board books, exploring toys, and starting to participate more in pretend play, such as pretending to talk on a phone.
At this age, your toddler’s diet should continue to expand. They’re likely eating more of the foods you eat. Eighteen-month-olds can eat foods that require lots of chewing, like chicken breast. But to reduce the risk of choking, you should cut foods into smaller pieces. Offer them lots of healthy options: vegetables, fruits, protein (such as beef, fish, eggs, or tofu), dairy without added sugars (like cheese or yogurt), and whole grain bread, crackers, or pasta.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech and occupational therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication, feeding, and developmental skills, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 4,500 5-star reviews from our clients (4.83/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech and occupational therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
